And finally, a quick plug for cows’ milk. Every glass of milk has nine essential nutrients: calcium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, and vitamins A, D, B12, riboflavin, and niacin. Every time. The Western Dairy Association reviews the many health benefits of traditional milk:

In addition to milk’s unique package of essential nutrients, its naturally occurring form of calcium is readily absorbed by our bodies. This is not always true of the various forms of calcium that may be used to fortify non-dairy milk alternatives.

So, when comparing non-dairy milk alternatives to real milk, it is important to consider both the quantity and the quality of the essential nutrients contained in each.